Author: jezzabellemente

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) — Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life Vision Realization Program has released a new report detailing key insights and progress in transforming the Kingdom’s quality of life, based on extensive surveys of residents, citizens, and visitors.

Titled Cities of Possibility: The Evolution of Quality of Life in Saudi Arabia, the report highlights how advancements across the Kingdom are reshaping economic, social, and cultural life while enhancing urban liveability, according to a statement.

Focusing on five major cities, namely Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Madinah, and Abha, the report introduces a new approach to measuring quality of life, built around four interconnected pillars: Prosperity and Opportunity, Personal and Social Growth, Lifestyle and Recreation, and Sustainable and Safe Foundations.

It details how improvements in liveability, inclusion, and well-being have translated into measurable economic outcomes as Saudi Arabia develops future-ready cities with higher standards of living for all.

The report quantifies substantial gains, including a rise in women’s workforce participation to 36.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, surpassing the Vision 2030 target of 30 per cent. Investment licences grew 67 per cent year-on-year, placing the Kingdom 13th in the 2025 Kearney FDI Confidence Index.

Life expectancy increased from 74 to 79 years, and Saudi Arabia ranked second highest among G20 nations on the 2024 ICT Development Index.

Significant improvements in lifestyle, recreation, safety, and mobility are driven by strategic national investments, including US$1 trillion in tourism and leisure, expanding access to dining, culture, sports, and entertainment. (US$1=RM4.07)

Building on these achievements, Saudi Arabia has sponsored the global Quality of Life Initiative (QOLI), providing a unified, internationally recognised, data-driven framework that helps local governments measure and enhance well-being in their communities.

The Saudi Quality of Life Program continues to serve as a strategic enabler of Vision 2030, focusing on improving urban liveability and enriching lifestyle offerings across the Kingdom.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 (Bernama) — Hilton and Explora Journeys, the ultra-luxury ocean travel brand of MSC Group, have unveiled an exclusive partnership that brings high-end cruising into Hilton’s global loyalty ecosystem, marking Hilton’s first major expansion into luxury ocean travel.

Hilton president, global brands and commercial services, Chris Silcock said the partnership creates the perfect moment to introduce Hilton Honors Adventures, opening new ways for members to explore iconic and lesser-known destinations through elevated experiences.

Meanwhile, Explora Journeys president, Anna Nash said this partnership unites two brands committed to thoughtful travel, meaningful connection, and deep discovery.

She added that the collaboration blends the freedom of ocean travel with personalised, well-being-focused hospitality.

Central to the collaboration is the debut of Hilton Honors Adventures, a new extension of Hilton’s award-winning guest loyalty programme focused on immersive, adventure-driven travel, according to a statement.

Beginning summer 2026, Hilton Honors members will be able to earn and redeem Points on Explora Journeys’ voyages spanning the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and beyond. Explora Journeys currently operates two ships, with plans to grow its fleet to six vessels by 2028.

To mark the launch, Hilton Honors members can access a limited-time preview offer through June 7, 2026, featuring exclusive benefits on all Explora Journeys itineraries, with 16 curated sailings highlighted for added value and early access ahead of full Points integration.

The initiative builds on Hilton Honors’ reach of more than 235 million members worldwide and complements its portfolio of over 9,000 properties, including more than 1,000 luxury and lifestyle hotels, while extending loyalty benefits into fast-growing experiential travel segments.

With ocean travel gaining momentum among travellers seeking slower, more immersive journeys, the Hilton-Explora alliance positions both brands at the intersection of luxury hospitality, experiential travel and loyalty innovation.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) — The 21st International Congress on Luobing Theory Overseas Forum concluded recently in Hanoi, Vietnam, aiming to promote Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) development and strengthen international cooperation in Luobing theory, also known as the theory of collateral diseases.

According to a statement, the forum was co-hosted by the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies Specialty Committee of Luobing and the Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Association.

The forum focused on clinical applications of Luobing theory in cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, anti-ageing and oncology treatments.

At the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Association president, Truong Viet Binh emphasised that innovations in Luobing theory provide valuable references for contemporary medical practice and serve as an example of efforts to modernise traditional medicine in countries such as Vietnam.

Meanwhile, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Professor Wu Yiling, joined the forum online to present an academic report on the construction, innovation, and transformation of the Luobing theoretical system.

He shared recent advances within the framework of the theory, including its applications in areas such as vascular health, immune system support, and anti-ageing research, emphasising ongoing study and exploration.

During the forum, experts from several countries released a new guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which highlights the concept of integrating heart and lung treatment in TCM practice.

— BERNAMA